Sampling device for wells



A. M. BANDY SAMPLING DEVICE FOR WELLS Filed 001;. 17, 1936 llnlllll' i Patent Got. 17, 1939 2,173,246 same nnvrcn eon warns Alvin Pd. Ban, Ganadc, 'llex.

Application Uctober 17, 1936, derial No. 196,124

This invention relates to an apparatus for taking samples or fluid irom wells and has particular relation to means for taking a sample of either liquid or gas from the stratum at the bottom of the well.

It is an object of the invention to provide a sample taking apparatus that may be lowered into and withdrawn from a well bore by means or" a flexible line such as a cable and which contains a sample receiving chamber wherein the liquid or gas flowing into the well bore, from the stratum being tested, may be entrapped and withdrawn to the ground surface for inspection.

it is a further object of the invention to provide a sample taking apparatus of the character described containing a sample receiving chamber with means for completely closing said chamber against the entrance of fluid in the well while the apparatus is being lowered preparatory to taking the sample.

The invention further comprehends a novel method for securing a liquid or gas sample from a producing formation in a well.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention has particular relation to certain novel figures or construction, operation and arrangemeat of parts and to a novel method, an example of which is given in this specification are illusin the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a vertical sectional view or" the upper end of the apparatus showing the sample receiving chamber closed.

Figure 2 shows a vertical, section view of the lower end of the apparatus showing the parts in the position they will occupy while being lowered preparatory to obtaining a sample.

Figure 8 shows a vertical, sectional view of the upper end or" the apparatus showing the inlet valve open to admit the sample.

Figure 4 shows a vertical, sectional view of the lower end of the apparatus shown in active position to admit a liquid or gas sample, and

Figure 5 shows a fragmentary sectional view showing the locking device for locking the apparatus in the drill stem.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral 6 designates a tubular container having the sample receiving chamber 2.

The upper end of the container is closed and threaded into said ends is a connection 8 having the internally threaded side opening Q and also having an axial duct 5 leading from the chamber 2. The upper end of this duct is opened and closed by the needle valve 6 which has a threaded connection with the upper end of the connection 3 and which is surrounded by the stumng box The upper end of the needle valve has a hand wheel 8 fixed thereon. 'The connection and needle valve are enclosed by a tubular hous ing 9, which is threaded to the upper end of the container l and whose upper end is closed by the head iii, which is threaded thereto. This head the upstanding neck ll, whose upper end terminates in a cone it with which a grappling tool it may be engaged. when it is desired to remove the apparatus from the well. Any conventional type of grappling tool may be employed and it may be lowered into the well and withdrawn by means of a cable in the well known manner.

Attached to the lower end or" the container i there is a tubular barrel l l whose upper end is "formed witha downwardly converging valve seat 95 with which the upwardly opening check valve it cooperates.

Secured in the barrel above said check valve there is a spider ill having a central bearing through which the valve stem 88 on the upper end of the valve works. The spider also has the side ports it for the purpose to be hereinafter stated. The valve is normally maintained closed by means of a coiled spring 2i], which surrounds the stern and is interposed between the valve and spider.

A tubular packing housing 2! is threaded into the lower end of the barrel i i and its upper end is enlarged internally forming the inside annular upwardly facing shoulder 22.

A tubular stem 23 is located within and extends beneath the packing housing 2 l. The upper end of this stem has an outwardly extending annular flange 26, which rests on the shoulder 22. Packing 25 is located within the housing 25 around the stern and is confined by the inside, annular, downwardly facing shoulder 26, in the housing 29, and the gland 27 which is screwed into the lower end of the packing housing 25 and which abuts said packing.

The lower end oi the gland ii is reduced so as to lit into the central bore of the drill. It is to be understood that the apparatus will usually be lowered through the drill stem with its lower end projecting through the central bore of the drill and resting on the bottom of the bore.

The stem 23 extends beneath the gland 21 and a tubular point 28 is screwed onto the lower end of the stem and contains a screen 29, which spans the passageway therethrough. With the flange 24 resting on the shoulder 22, the point 28 will be spaced beneath the lower end of the gland 21. A nipple 30 is screwed into the upper end of the stem 23 and has an axial duct 3|, extending therethrough from its lower end but terminating beneath the upper end thereof.

Screwed into the side of the nipple 30 and extending outwardly therefrom there are the hollow plugs 32, 32, which communicate with the duct 3i and whose outer ends are closed. These plugs are formed of material which may be readily sheared or broken.

The upper end of the nipple 30f fits closely through a central bearing 33 of the ring 3. This ring is secured in the barrel i4 above the plugs 32.

In operation the apparatus is assembled as shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the valve 6 closed. The drill stem 35 should then be elevated so as to lift the drill 36 oflc of bottom. The apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 may then be dropped through the drill stem and it will pass down through the drilling fluid therein and its lower end will project through the central bore of the drill. The head ill has a latch 31 seated in a slot in said head and whose lower end is pivoted in the head with its upper end held projected out by the spring 38. The drill stem 35 has an inside, inwardly projecting ring 39 through which the head passes and when the latch clears said ring it will be forced outwardly, into the position shown in Figure 5 and will engage underneath the ring 39 to lock the apparatus in place. The point 28 projects beneath the drill 3G and may be provided with radial teeth 40. The drill stem may then be lowered until the point 28 lands on the bottom of the well and as the drill stem is further lowered the ring 39 will engage the latch 31 and will force the housing 9, container l and tubular barrel [4 on downwardly causing the ring 34 to engage with and shear oii the plugs 32 and the lower end of the gland 21 will land on the upper end of the point 28 as shown in Figure 4 with the sheared plugs 32 above the ring 34;

'The teeth 40 and the cutting edges of the drill will be forced into the formation at the bottom of the well by the weight on them thus sealing the lower end of the point 28 against the entrance of the drilling fluid so that the gas or I oil in the formation beneath the point 28 may pass up through the tubular point 28 and stem 23 and on up through the duct 3| and out through the sheared plugs 32 and will lift the valve l8 passing on up through the ports l9 into the chamber 2. When the pressure in the chamber 2 is equalized with that beneath the valve Ii, said valve will close and entrap the sample of the liquid or gas-in the chamber 2.

The grappling tool l3 may then be lowered into the drill stem or well, by means of a cable and engaged with the cone l2 and upon an upward pull the latch 31 will be retracted and the apparatus may then be withdrawn to the ground surface for inspection of the sample. While withdrawing the apparatus through the drilling fluid the particles of sand and detritus in said fluid will soon clog the screen 28 to prevent the entrance of drilling fluid to mingle with and contaminate the sample. The housing 9 may then be removed from the container 1 and a gauge screwed into the tapped opening I and the needle valve 8 opened and the pressure contained in the chamber 2 thus ascertained, and with the gauge detached, the valve 6 may then be opened and the contents of the chamber 2 drained out for inspection.

The drawing and description disclose what is now considered to be a preferred form of the invention by way of illustration only, while the broad principle of the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A sampling device for wells shaped to be lowered into a well and to land on the bottom and comprising a container having a sample chamber, a barrel attached to the container, a stem slidable in the barrel and having an inlet conduit, means for confining the inlet end of the conduit to the bottom of the bore, means normally closing the conduit and adapted to be broken, said stem being movable upwardly relative to the barrel, means effective to break said closing means to open said conduit upon such upward movement to admit fluid from the well, said container having a controlled inlet through which the admitted fluid may enter the chamber and means arranged to automatically close said inlet and to thereby entrap the fluid in said chamber.

2. A sample device for wells comprising a. containerhaving a sample chamber provided with an inlet, means arranged to open to admit a sample of fluid into the chamber through said inlet and arranged to thereafter close to prevent the outflow of said admitted fluid, said device including a slidably mounted stem thereon provided with an inlet channel, a screen across the channel, means on the stem normally closing said channel and arranged to be opened, when the device lands in home position at the bottom of the well, whereby the well fluid will be permitted to flow inwardly through said channel.

3. A sample taking device for wells shaped to be lowered into a well and to land on the bottom and comprising a container having a sample chamber, a barrel attached to the container, a stem slidable in the barrel and having an inlet conduit, means normally closing the conduit and adapted to be broken, said stem being movable upwardly relative to the barrel, means efiective to break said, closing means to open said conduit upon said upward movement to admit fluid from the well, said container having an inlet through which the admitted fluid passes into the chamber and a back pressure valve controlling said inlet and mounted to open to permit passage of. the inflowing fluid and to thereafter close and entrap said fluid in said chamber.

, ALVIN M. HANDY. 

